Dog-Friendly Restaurants Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

January 27, 2019 by Ron Wen

News: Boxcar Bar and Arcade Opens Third Location in Durham!

As the Triangle continues to grow, it’s fun seeing successful businesses opening up second and third locations at other points in the Triangle. Long-time Raleigh favorite, Boxcar Bar and Arcade has done just that! While its second location sent them out to Greensboro, their third location brought them back to the Triangle and to the Bull City on January 10. Located on Foster Street next to Urban Axes, Boxcar Bar and Arcade Durham offers up the same great games with more space, a private room and a pizza kitchen. Game tokens are also re-usable across all three locations. Check out the pictures below if you’re curious!

Boxcar Bar and Arcade

621 Foster Street

Durham, NC 27701

984.377.2791

Location on Google maps

August 30, 2017 by Ron Wen

First Take: BottleDog Bites & Brews Delivers Great Beer, Pizza and Poutine

Front of Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Front of Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

Along with beer and brewery boom here in North Carolina, one other type of storefront has proliferated: the bottle shop! A place where you can sample some craft brews or grab a specialty 4-pack to enjoy at home. And usually they have one thing in common, no food! But they usually give you the option of BYOF or ordering food from a nearby restaurant or delivery service. Recently I ran across BottleDog Bites and Brews in Cary online and the reviews mentioned the food quite often. Could it be true? Might there be a bottle shop in the area that’s now offering great food on top of their beers? Well it was time to find out!

Patio at Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Patio at Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

We head on over to the address looking hard for BottleDog Bites & Brews and the GPS is only somewhat helpful getting us to Chapel Hill Road. We find ourselves in a small plaza with Woody’s Sports Tavern and not much else, we start scratching our heads. But we’re not ready to give up and head to the right-hand side of the plaza and find BottleDog’s storefront. Located in the old Maximillians Pizza Kitchen, there’s a nice covered patio up front that looks dog-friendly!

Dining area at Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Dining area at Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

Heading on inside to BottleDog, we find a large beer bar on the right hand side and a retail beer section and dining area to the left. BottleDog is airy and open, there’s plenty of space to stretch out in here, it definitely feels different than most other bottle shops I’ve been to in the Triangle! It neatly fills the space between bottle shop and restaurant, similar to State of Beer in Raleigh. But there are some more pleasant surprises to come!

At the bar, BottleDog has 10 or 12 beers on tap, I go with the Bond Bros American IPA, Obfuscate! It has a super floral palate but also a nice clean afterbite with just a touch of hops, dee-licious! My beer loving buddy gives BottleDog’s beer selection a big thumbs up on its quality. Peering through the food menu, we find some really cool options for lunch. Poutine?! A beaver tail? Or how about some smoked meats? So in addition to the usual hot dogs and flatbreads, BottleDog seems to be going a bit Canadian with the menu which is fine by me, I love Canada! We put our food orders in and just sit back and enjoy our beers. It’s pretty quiet given a holiday weekend but slowly people start trickling in with kids and dogs in tow.

Nashville hot chicken at Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Nashville hot chicken at Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

Poutine with smoked meat at Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Poutine with smoked meat at Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

Poutine at Bottledog Bites and Brews in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Poutine at Bottledog Bites and Brews in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Soon enough, our food starts coming out starting with my friend’s Nashville hot chicken tenders. Served up on some white bread and thick pickles, it looks fantastic and spicy! I hold back on a taste since I need to save room for my meal. My Quebecois poutine comes out next and it starts with their basic poutine (fries, brown gravy and cheese curds) but adds in some smoked meat and pickles, yum-may! I haven’t eaten much poutine in my life but this dish is G-O-O-D! The warm potato is soaked in the gravy and the cheese is just decadence on top. Add in the peppery smoked meats and you’ve got yourself a mouthful! I’m already looking forward to trying some of the other poutines, stat.

Sweet Caroline flatbread at Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Sweet Caroline flatbread at Bottledog Bites & Brews in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

The Sweet Caroline flatbread also hits the spot with a perfectly done thin-crust topped with mozzarella, onions and grilled chicken. House-made barbeques sauce is drizzled on top making for a delicious barbeque chicken pizza (I know, they call it flatbread here, but…) While the crust at BottleDog isn’t a perfect Neapolitan style, it’s similar but with a crisper bottom to hold all the toppings. An excellent pie and plenty to eat for one person, you can certainly share for two lighter appetites.

Service at BottleDog was solid and pretty casual which is fine for a place like this and prices this low. All you really need to know is that the food at BottleDog is really good! I’m not often surprised by restaurants but BottleDog did it for me in a very pleasant way. I get the strange idea that there may be some leftover culinary talent from the old Maximillian’s Grill here at BottleDog which would explain the great, bar eats here. So rock on BottleDog Bites & Brews. Your name is a mouthful but then again, so is your delicious food. I’ll be back again, soon…

Bottle Dog Bites & Brews

8306 Chapel Hill Road

Cary, NC 27513

919.694.5377

Location on Google maps

December 22, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: A Raleigh Classic in Players Retreat near NC State University

Front of Players Retreat in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Front of Players Retreat in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

When you talk about classic Raleigh restaurants and eateries, Players Retreat is usually mentioned since it’s been such a long-standing favorite for NC State students and alumni! In business for over 65 years, you have to be doing something really good. And while I don’t have any Wolfpack blood running through me, I do appreciate a good college bar and restaurant no matter what university you’re associated with. So it was time for a visit to this old-school Raleigh eatery for lunch!

Banner at Players Retreat in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Banner at Players Retreat in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

It’s really easy to find Player’s Retreat (PR to the locals). Located on Oberlin Road, just look for the large NC State red awnings and umbrellas. Or the large Players Retreat flag waving out front! They’ve got a very nice sidewalk patio for outdoors dining but you gotta head inside to really understand the charm of Players Retreat. Inside, Players Retreat sports a long classic bar, low slung booths to the right and additional dining rooms on either side of the main room, TV screens above along with an impressive collection of beer cans and old-school NC State finishes off the decor. It has the comfortable feeling of other college bars-restaurants in the area like Dain’s Place over in Durham.

Interior at Players Retreat in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Interior at Players Retreat in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

I grab a seat at the corner of the bar and am immediately asked about a drink. I go with a Lonerider Bad Penny just to keep things simple and peruse the menu. Next-door is an energetic crowd of folks visiting for a political event. There’s a casual but fun energy at Players Retreat and I suspect that there are a lot of locals showing up here on a regular basis. Players Retreat has a long menu of bar food ranging from fried appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, American entrees and more. And the PR is also known for their selection of scotch, check out their website for details on the Scotch Club at PR if you’re a fan!

Chicken parm sub at Players Retreat in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Chicken parm sub at Players Retreat in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

I keep things simple and go with a chicken parm sub and side of house-made potato chips. The food comes out pretty quickly at Players Retreat, I’ve got a sizable (10″) sandwich with chicken tenders and layer with marinara sauce and provolone. The bun is fresh and soft, it’s a satisfying bite and good deal at $9. Along with the decent chips, I’m a happy camper sitting at PR’s bar and watching the people walk by.

Service at the bar is solid and attentive, they’ve got some pros here behind the bar and it shows. While I’m sure the PR has its regulars, they take care of me really well as a newbie which is always appreciated. All in all, I was pretty happy with my visit to this classic Raleigh eatery. It’s held up well over time which isn’t always the case for long-time local favorites. Along with the Mecca Restaurant, the Players Retreat can hold its own in terms of food, service, ambiance and overall value. So cheers, Players Retreat! While I may not bleed Wolfpack red, here’s to another 65 years for this popular college staple…

Players Retreat

105 Oberlin Road

Raleigh, NC 27605

919.755.9589

Location on Google maps

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March 11, 2014 by Ron Wen 1 Comment

Plates Neighborhood Kitchen in Raleigh for International Flavors

Front of Plates Neighborhood Kitchen in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Known for its dance clubs and bars, S. Glenwood has always seemed to lack really good food, especially on the main strip. So I was a little excited when I heard that Plates Neighborhood Kitchen was opening up in the old space that used to be Zely & Ritz. With the departure of Frazier’s a year or so ago, I had been missing a nearby, small plates restaurant and had my fingers crossed that Plates would fill that gap. I popped in on a Sunday morning for their brunch and let’s just say we’re close but there’s still a little work to be done at this new neighborhood eatery!

Interior and bar at Plates Neighborhood Kitchen, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Out front, Plates sports a large patio space shared with some other businesses so I imagine this place will be great when things warm up. Inside, Plates is nattily decorated with lots of interesting and colorful hints. Weathered metal lamps above the bar, long-filament lights in the space along with a pot rack overhead at the entrance. I’d have to describe the space as “country cute” and leave it at that. It’s comfortable and stylish which befits the international menu and reasonable prices. For the most part the dishes here are $6 – $15 with brunch clocking in at $8 – $12 which is a lot more affordable than the old Z&R. We order up a fried oyster benedict, eggs bayou laforche which is andouille benedict along with some passion fruit pancakes on special. A nice cup of coffee and bottomless mimosa keep me company while waiting for the food.

Eggs benedict at Plates Neighborhood Kitchen in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

The manager/owner seems to be at the front of the house and is taking good care of things. Lots of staff here for the size of the place and service is excellent at Plates. It takes about 10 – 15 minutes for the food to arrive and it all looks solid. A quick swap of the benedicts means we get to try both out and we dig in. The fried oyster benedict is the big winner. Two plump, non-greasy fried oysters with hollandaise sauce, good stuff. The andouille benedict didn’t fare quite as well. There were two or three slices of sausage which left a lot of bare muffin exposed. Given that the andouille wasn’t that thick there just wasn’t much meat flavor. And the passion fruit pancakes were nicely done with good size but not super memorable.

Passion fruit pancakes at Plates Neighborhood Kitchen in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Overall a good start for this new restaurant but I’m definitely going to have to get back for lunch or dinner. They’ve got potential with a capital P and the food was decent but didn’t totally tingle the taste-buds. But given how well they run the place, I’m sure there will be adjustments and that Plates will get locked in soon. So 3.5 stars for now with a hope of more to come from Plates Neighborhood Kitchen. Because I really do need some good plates in my hood, best of luck!

(On a return visit I did try a very good short rib dish with pureed squash and kale, more to come…)

Plates Neighborhood Kitchen

301 Glenwood Avenue, Ste 100

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.828.0018

Plates Brunch menu

Location on Google maps

January 14, 2014 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

The Station at Person Street, Raleigh: An Amazing Patio for Beers and More!

Front and patio of the Station, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Front and patio of the Station, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Between my gym and my condo, I’ve got a Krispy Kreme and Tyler’s Taproom that cause me no end of caloric trouble trying to get back home. You can now add The Station at Person Street to the list of temptations. Located just north of Krispy Kreme, this new bar and restaurant is off to a good start. From the outside you’ll immediately notice all the patio space and bar, perfect when the weather cooperates in Raleigh. The orange exterior and interesting roof-line definitely catches your eye but it’s all about the food and drink, amiright?

Inside the Station, it has a warm and comfortable pub-like feel to the space. Brought to you by the folks at the Hibernian (Niall Hanley), you’d expect as much. There’s plenty of interesting decorative hints in the space. Two chalkboards up front with scribed specials. A cool, private room in the center of the space with lime-green padded seating and lit up mason jars above. Edison lights over the bar for subdued lighting, the space feels cozy and different. Decent beer menu, a smallish bar food menu but that’s fine for my first visit. The Station has only been open a couple of weeks so you have to give them some time to figure things out. I go with a couple of apps: the mussels and chipotle popcorn chicken!

Sorta private room at the Station, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Sorta private room at the Station, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Bar at the Station, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Bar at the Station, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

With a television, ESPN and a Angry Angel Kolsch keeping me company, I scan the place and it’s buzzing. Warm winter night so lots of people are enjoying this new spot which is a good sign. It takes a while for my food to come out, I gotta believe the kitchen is still working out the kinks. I’ve got a large cast iron bowl full of mussels along with a paper bag of popcorn chicken, an interesting way to present the food! The mussels are a heaping pile of black beauties with lots of garlic and rosemary. Not very soupy, just very flavorful. And the crusty bread makes for good dipping in the leftover sauce! Really enjoyed this generous app, it was on the salty side for me but still bearable. The popcorn chicken is also good, lightly spice and served over potato wedges. Again, it was a bit salty for me but I’m a bit sensitive to sodium chloride. Most people should be ok but I’d recommend cutting back a bit because even though it helps with the flavor, it was on the line of excessive for me.

Mussels app at the Station, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Mussels app at the Station, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Popcorn chicken app at the Station, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Popcorn chicken app at the Station, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Just one note but the Station at Person Street is famous for its Tuesday, $5 Burger night! Get a basic cheeseburger with fries or chips for that low price and you really can’t go wrong. Except for the hordes of people who show up for that special!

$5 Tuesday burger special at the Station on Person Street, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — $5 Tuesday burger special at the Station on Person Street, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Service was fine at the bar but I did hear complaints from a friend who had visited earlier in the week. Again, the Station is so new you have to give them a month or two to get into a groove so they get a pass tonight! But they are off to a fine start. Interesting place, small but tasty bar menu with a good selection of beers and wines. And they better be good because Tyler’s (my fave) is right around the corner. So let’s see where they go with this new offering but the Station at Person Street is a great addition to the Oakwood neighborhood!

News: Boxcar Bar and Arcade Opens Third Location in Durham!